What practice helps ensure consistency when multiple baristas prepare the same secret menu drink?

• A. Let the customer supervise.
• B. Use a written standard recipe, verify each step before serving, and standardize portion sizes and syrups.
• C. A random guess
• D. Allow improvisation for each drink.

Answer: (B)

Consistency across baristas comes from having a clear, shared method. A written standard recipe gives everyone the same ingredients and measurements, so each drink starts from the same baseline. Verifying each step before serving helps catch mistakes or deviations in technique, ensuring the process is followed faithfully. Standardizing portion sizes and syrups controls sweetness, strength, and flavor balance, so the final result remains the same across makers. When these elements are in place, the drink can be replicated reliably, regardless of who makes it.

Letting a customer supervise isn’t a reliable way to enforce a uniform method. A random guess will lead to wildly different results each time. Allowing improvisation introduces variation that breaks consistency.